Inspiration, inspiration, inspiration

January 14th
They say location, location, location but I say inspiration, inspiration, inspiration. Today I have sourced five inspiring finds that I share with you in hope that it sets off a spark and inspires...

Wherever we look these days, certainly in the UK there is talk of mindfulness and the benefits of living in the moment. Something that is becoming increasingly hard in this fast paced world we live in and we should take a little more down time and refresh our brain. Hence this year's big seller at Christmas were colouring books for adults. Did you get one? Did you buy any as gifts? The talented duo of Kay and Ann over at Mason Dixon Knitting came up with the genius idea of creating a book for knitters. Hit the link and have a look.

Colouring for knitters

In case you are interested here are a few free sheets to down load for mindfulness colouring though not specially for knitters or crafters... Mindful colouring

Instagram as I have mentioned many times is a source full of inspiration, it's fabulous and someone I have been following for a while is Sam over at Sam She has an innocent charm to her drawing and draws mostly on beach stones. Often making a collection and putting them together in little bags as story prompts. A wonderful gift and idea for little ones. Just take a look. It wouldn't be difficult to create this for yourself and a small person in your life, or even just to sit on your own desk, no, no, no, I wouldn't do that, would I?

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Sam is now branching into producing colouring sheets

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Perfect blend of nature and man made

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Sam is known for making story stones. A set of stones to
create your own stories with, how great an idea is this

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There are stones for all occasions, look a Christmas set...

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Continuing the theme of colouring and beaches look what Barbara has been up to...

Using a sharpie pen and shells

Clever use of a single colour, Sharpie pen and shells she collected from the beach. She has somehow created almost a Ming dynasty of shells. This wonderful picture was shared on the Facebook page Darn Good Yarn Lots of inspiring things happen over on that page too.

And finally, although I mention them a lot, they are Norwegian after all, I need to remind you about Arne & Carlos. My first post about them can be found here and a perfect post for Spring makes can be found here These knitters extraordinaire have now begun YouTube videos showing various makes, patterns and stitches. Their latest share was the 96 stitch hat, its worth a look... video and pattern

Wearing his 96 stitch hat

As an odd little snippet, I thought I would share with you the latest trailer form Midsomer murders, this episode, as many others before is filmed in and around our market town and surrounding villages. Can't wait to see the episode later this month, especially as we were in town the day of the bike race and saw the filming... Midsomer Murders Trailer

Those shells are beautiful Selma. I adore the Arne and Carlos designs. A little too difficult for me at the moment but maybe in time I could manage one. I'm currently busy making my second ever pair of socks. Much love. X

I got loads of Amazon vouchers for Christmas/Birthday, so I bought myself a colouring book and some pens :) I haven't actually touched them yet because I'm still knitting socks like a maniac and I just made a HitchHiker scarf and loved it and want to make more. I need three pairs of hands!

Lots of great ideas thank you. I particularly love the shells. I am still knitting away at my socks, although it may be time to branch out onto mittens. Do you know of any easy patterns. Have a great weekend. Barbara X

Lots of good ideas here for taking time out to do something creative. Our daughter was given a book of postcards as a Christmas gift to colour in which she's started by using them as thank you notes. I like to spot the places I recognise where episodes of Midsomer Murders have been filmed. Thanks for the clip. Exciting for you to have seen the filming of the cycle race!

Thank you for the really inspiring ideas!Oh, you live in a very beautiful area. The episodes of "Midsomer Murders" have been filmed in really spectacular places! (Wonderful gardens, for example.) Actors are great too, only the murders are a little bit too bizarre for my taste. :)Have a lovely weekend!

What lovely things you have shared with us, no wonder they have inspired you. I always enjoy sitting down for a couple of hours with a Midsomer Murder or two - look forward to seeing the one you mention:)

Hello dear Selma, you have shared such inspiring ideas today. I love the story stones; a great gift idea for the little ones. And thank you for the links, too. I hope you have a great weekend. Hugs, Pat

I've not really understood the colouring book craze, doesn't particularly appeal to me although I can see why other people are enjoying it. I did buy one for my daughter's birthday which was on Monday but she's 10.

I love those story stones, what a sweet idea. The shells look lovely too

Evelyn I understand what you are saying. I've not sat down for cough cough, a couple of decades!!! To colour in but can see how you would be able to switch off from the world and colour 'mindlessly' away. Taking time out. Of course there are many other ways to do that too. X

What an inspirational Five! I can't get those shells out of my head, and I do happen to have quite a lot of shells (for a grown-up) so perhaps I need to go out and buy a Sharpie at the weekend... thank you for sharing. x

What a fun Five on Friday post! I have the Mason Dixon colouring book and am hoping to start in it this weekend. I am a big Arne and Carlos fan, so will have to have a look at their YouTube site. I'm also a huge Midsomer Murders fan. How exciting to live near where they film. Although, I must say it's a good thing the show is fictional or you might be in grave danger. :-)

Now Kristie, I hadn't thought of that. We live in a house ideal for a plot for the show as you say. Glad it's a show as maybe we would be next... Eek!!!! Let me know how you get on with the colouring book. Keen to hear...

Great inspiration! I like a bit of grown up colouring I have to say. The blue and white shells especially caught my eye, they are wonderful aren't they. Yes, you are right in MM country, but I am glad that you don't actually have so many murders!! Thank you for joining Five On Friday. Happy Weekend! xx

Very cool post! Especially love those blue & white seashells! I get a lot of inspiration from Pinterest, and just from nature itself. Sometimes too on the blogs someone will do a post much like yours, and there's always inspiration there! :-)

Boy there are some amazingly talented folks out there! Love the story stone idea! Sam does a great job - so cool! Thanks for some fun creative inspiration. ;) Blessings on the rest of your weekend. Xoxo

We don't usually watch Midsomer Murders, but I caught a glimpse of one recently and thought I recognised where it was. Very exciting for you to have seen them filming. I have to watch the next one now! Great inspirational ideas! Barbara xx